A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM 4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT

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KOOKY KLICKERS® – The hottest collectible product in the market today.  THE KOOKYS™ – The next big kid and tween lifestyle brand.

SMESHARIKI – Russia’s hugely popular family brand with 5½ million daily viewers and over 3000 licensed products makes US TV series debut this Fall on TheCW4Kids.

YU-GI-OH! 5D’s™ – Latest chapter in successful series featuring new duelists, vehicles and storyline makes US TV premiere this Fall on The CW4Kids.

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Cynopsis: Kids!

06/11/08

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, June 11, 2008, and this is your first early morning Kids briefing.

Universal Pictures picks up the option to develop a feature film based on the kid book series Dragonology, in a pre-emptive offer for a “very substantial sum.”  Screenwriter Leonard Hartman is attached to the project and has already begun work on a treatment.  From author Dugald A. Steer, the Dragonology books are published in the UK by Templar and in the US by Candlewick Press. So far there is no release date for the movie.  The deal was negotiated via Stephen Moore, The Paul Kohner Agency and Richard Scrivener, Templar’s Commercial and Operations Director.

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After exploring various options, Jetix Europe signs a deal with Disney, its majority shareholder, to integrate the management of its French Jetix channel with Disney Channel’s operation in France.  Moving forward Disney Channel’s France-based team will manage the French Jetix channel operations, in addition to overseeing its existing channels, Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney.

LICENSING INTERNATIONAL EXPO 2008

Wow, lots going on at the Licensing International Expo 2008, which opened its doors at the Javits Center in NYC yesterday for the last time before packing up and moving to Las Vegas next year.  Aside from being really (really, super, incredibly) hot and humid outside, it was plenty hot inside the venue — both temperature wise and with the buzz of new product lines and deals.

My day began on an up note with Nickelodeon’s event featuring director M. Night Shyamalan speaking about his forthcoming Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount live-action/CG feature film adaptation of the network’s animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender.  Heralding the movie as the next Star Wars, the director explained he wanted to make the move because he loved the story and characters, and that “every human being in the world is going to flip out over this movie.”  He noted the script is done and they have story-boarded the movie twice over.  Unlike Shyamalan’s other movies this one will be for kids and families.  The movie is set for a July 2, 2010 release.

Additionally, Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) is showcasing a range of new licensing and merchandising programs for its properties this week including:

• In addition to committing to a second season of the preschool animated series Ni Hao, Kai-lan, NVCP is launching a merchandising program this week, including a line of T-Shirts currently available at Forever 21 stores, a DVD set for release in August 2008 and a range of merchandising and promotional partnerships across various categories in the works.
• iCarly includes this summer’s launch of products, beginning with the  release of the iCarly album titled iPlaylist from Nickelodeon Music, as well as apparel and electronics.  From July products that will be available exclusively in The Limited Too/Justice stores include apparel, electronic and stationery.  This September will see the release a DVD including 13 episodes of the series and a behind the scenes look at the making if the Leave It All to Me music video, as well as products from Imation (electronics) under its Npower label at Toys ‘R’ Us.
• The new line of Neopets product launch this fall in the US, with the products incorporating a direct tie-in to the web experience: Capcom Entertainment (video games) is developing the Neopets puzzle Adventures (working title) for Wii, Nintendo DS and PC platforms; Jakks Pacific (plush, figures, toys, activities and stationery); Harper-Collins will release five titles; Enterplay (trading card); Mamiye Brothers (kid/tween/teen apparel); the Neopets plush products will tie into a new multiplayer game, titled Neopets Key Quest.  Neopets products will roll out internationally later this summer, including launches in Australia and New Zealand, Holland, Brazil and Canada.
• NVCP also unveiled the first Slime! branded products, as well as expanded programs for SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, The Naked Brothers Band and Go, Diego, Go!.

4Kids Entertainment is appointed licensing, marketing and promotional agent for the Russian animated series Smeshariki in the Americas, Asia and English-speaking territories, by property rights holder FunGameMedia.  As part of the deal, 4Kids Productions is adapting 200+ episodes of Smeshariki for broadcast in the US on TheCW4Kids Saturday morning block for the 2008-9 season on the CW Network.  Produced by Russia’s Animation Studio, Smeshariki follows the adventures of a group of multi-colored round-shaped characters.  4Kids plans to build a full licensing program for Smeshariki to support the US launch of the series.  A Smeshariki feature film is currently in pre-production and scheduled for release in 2010.

Elsewhere, 4Kids Entertainment has also been named the worldwide licensing agent for The Kookys brand by Courage International, which holds the rights to the property.  The Kookys brand is based on the Kooky Klickers character line of collectible pens.  4Kids will expand The Kookys brand into a range of categories, building on the existing plush line from Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co.

Granada Ventures inks new partnerships with agents for its girl-targeted brand Bella Sara, including with Telescreen to rep the property in the Benelux, Blowfish in South Africa, and Active Merchandising in Germany and German speaking Austria and Switzerland.  Each of these agents will seek and name third party licensees across multiple categories in their respective territories.  Additionally, Granada Ventures acquires the Scandinavian rights for the property from creators Concept Cards, giving it the full worldwide rights for Bella Sara.  New license deals include: Amscan (party goods) for EMEA rights, excluding Scandinavia; Danilo (calendar and greeting cards) for the UK and Ireland; in the US, Cadaco will debut a range of Thumb Drive Bella Sara games in 2009.  These deals join Bella Sara agreements already in place internationally with HarperCollins, Sababa Toys and Codemasters, which will bow in 2009.

HIT Entertainment enters into a new publishing pact with Paradise Press to tie in with the Bob the Builder: Project Build It TV series.  Under the deal Paradise Press, a mass market publisher, will publish a range of Bob the Builder books, including coloring, activity, sticker and board books among others.  The new line of Bob the Builder books will be distributed through various channels, such as supermarkets, book chains and mass market retailers beginning fall 2008.

HIT Entertainment and its licensing partners, Children’s Apparel Network and Babyboom are set to launch the Thomas & Friends A Stitch IN Time infant layette and bedding line this summer.

Cookie Jar Entertainment inks an apparel licensee deal with T-Shirt Connection to produce product based on the kid-aimed property Caillou.  The Caillou apparel line will be at first in Canada.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Nickelodeon picks up a second season of its Nick Jr. animated series Ni Hao, Kai-lan.  Slated to begin production this August, the new season of Ni Ha0, Kai-lan will include 20×30 episodes and is scheduled to premiere on Nick Jr. in winter 2009.  Designed to introduce preschoolers to Mandarin language and Chinese culture, Ni Hao, Ki-lan airs regularly at 11a on Nick Jr.

Thomas & Friends and Bob the Builder are getting a new look as HIT Entertainment announces that both preschool series will now be produced in CGI animation.  New style guides for featuring the new look will be released.
The CGI version of Thomas & Friends is being produced in partnership with Canada’s Nitrogen Studios.  That means the faces of Thomas and other engine, as well as Sir Topham Hatt, will move more naturally.  The new CGI version of the series will debut in late 2009 on Five Milkshake! (UK) and PBS Kids (US), among other territories.  Bob the Builder moves from the stop-frame animated style to CGI.  The series is being produced by SD Entertainment and will bow in late 2009 on CBeebies (UK) and PBS Kids (US).  HOT Animation, HIT Entertainment’s animation studio in the UK, will continue to produce Bob the Builder: On Site, a new direct-to-DVD series of live action and stop-frame animated specials.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) names several senior managers and also re-aligns its team, which reports to Leigh Anne Brodsky, President/NVCP:

• Indra Suharjono, formerly SVP/NVCP Asia, is upped to SVP and Managing Director/Licensing Operations in Asia and Middle East.
• Jean Philippe Randisi is promoted to SVP and Managing Director/NVCP in Europe, Canada and Latin America.  He had been SVP and Managing Director/NVCP Europe.
• Manuel Torres, previously SVP/NVCP Latin America, becomes SVP/Toys, Interactive and Consumer Electronics.
• Sherice Torres becomes SVP/Hard Goods overseeing global music and home entertainment business.  She had been SVP/hard Goods.
• Hal Snik, SVP/Soft Goods will now direct all of NVCP’s US licensing businesses.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Saturday, June 7, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1329; K6-11 929; TWEENS 9-14 722
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   834; K6-11 546; TWEENS 9-14 424
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   589; K6-11 370; TWEENS 9-14 265
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   141; K6-11   79; TWEENS 9-14   49
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Sunday, June 8, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1226; K6-11 813; TWEENS 9-14 663
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   886; K6-11 605; TWEENS 9-14 416
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   560; K6-11 379; TWEENS 9-14 267
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   152; K6-11   69; TWEENS 9-14   43
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Monday, February 11, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1392; K6-11 772; TWEENS 9-14 635
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   939; K6-11 672; TWEENS 9-14 621
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   509; K6-11 316; TWEENS 9-14 272
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   250; K6-11 129; TWEENS 9-14   82
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM TAFFY ENTERTAINMENT

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Geronimo Stilton, the acclaimed kids’ chapter book series now licensing in most categories!
* Over 29 million books sold worldwide in over 175 countries
* Winner of the License! Global Challenge at the 2008 Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
* Winner of the Italian Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award,
   The Cenacolo Award, The Andersen Prize,
   International Children’s e-book Award & more!
* New Animated TV Series (26 x 22′) Coming in 2009!
Visit the Taffy Booth (#4249) or check out our website for more info on Geronimo Stilton & all our great brands!

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Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question: If you use the password Bismark, what are you trying to open? AGENT 86 MAXWELL SMART’S APARTMENT.  Kudos to: William “Chip” Beaman-Soundelux Design Music Group/Hollywood; Lee Williams-Boomstone Entertainment Inc./Ottawa 

Today’s Trivia Question:  Ann Marie’s boyfriend Donald worked for what magazine?   (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)

Later — Cyn
06.11.08

Cynopsis Kids Ad Sales:
Jennifer Franko – 203-583-9796 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

Cynopsis website – Video Resumes, Extended Classified Ads, Archives, and the Cynopsis Daily Video

CableU – Know Networks Better. Pitch Smarter. Click here

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A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM CYNOPSIS MEDIA: TOP TIER

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Cyn opsis CLASSIFIEDS – For More classifieds, visit the Cynopsis.com classifieds page here    .

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JOB OPENING: DIR, DIGITAL AD OPS/Discovery/NY: Direct ad operations and staff for How Stuff Works sites, manage inventory mapping integrity, targeting capabilities, etc. Apply: www.discovery.com , Req#8005 (6/18)

JOB OPENING: SERIES PRODUCERS & EDITORS/Toronto: Major ntwrk background wanted for one of the world’s leading non-fiction prod companies. Proven track record in factual, adventure, reality formats. Resume to [email protected] (6/18)

JOB OPENING: SR. MARKETING MGR/HISTORY/A&E Television, NY: Manage Consumer Mktg. creative & budgets  implement strategies. BA/BS & 5+ yrs entertainment marketing. Resume w/salary: www.aetn.com/careers.html (6/18)

JOB OPENING: AFFILIATE MARKET RESEARCH MGR: Develop, manage & execute quant/qual mktg research projects, aid Subscriber Mktg in decision-making. Analyze results, reports, give presentations to teams. Reply to [email protected] (6/17)

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JOB OPENING: DIRECTOR, FINANCE/Rainbow Media Affiliate Sales: Budget/forecast for Affiliate revenue. Strategic analysis & guidance. Evaluate new opportunities thru ROI and MFN analysis. Apply to req ID 6273BR at www.cablevision.jobs (6/14)

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JOB OPENING: BRAND MGR/GLOBAL LICENSING/Playboy Enterprises NYC: Strat. Mktg, Acct. Mgmt for new & existing licensees. 3+ yrs exp-major brand pref. Apply at http://playboy.net-apply.com/13433 (6/12)

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JOB OPENING: COORD PROMO SCHED/Fuse/NY: Contribute to promo strategy for the network & research poten acquisitions for Fuse. 2 yrs Cable/network expl pref., Rez to: [email protected] “CPS” in subj (6/12)

JOB OPENING: DIR, LICENSING/Taffy Ent./PARIS: 5-8 yrs. Exp in lic/sales/retail for kids consumer prods. Develop new biz & maximize brand potential. Proven results. Eng/French fluency. [email protected] (6/12)

JOB OPENING: MEDIA BUYER/Boynton Bch, FL: 3-5 yrs media buying, negotiating, & analytical exp w/direct response short form on nat’l cable, syndication, and local broadcast. Exp w/ med buying software. [email protected] (6/12)

SPRING AND SUMMER INTERNSHIPS – These positions are for credit only – nobody gets paid here. They are posted for free, and students work for school credit only. For more information on the specs for posting an Internship ad, email Trish at [email protected] .

SITUATION WANTED: Recent college graduate with BS in Electronic Media and Film. Efficient in audio and video productions. Email: [email protected] Phone: 908-268-2078 (6/18)

SITUATION WANTED ADS, POSTED BY THOSE LOOKING TO BE HIRED … Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….

SITUATION WANTED: Recent College Grad looking for a position in research, production or post-production. Experienced in analyzing Nielsen/Arbitron data, producing and various editing systems. Contact: [email protected] or 732.895.2352 (6/17)

SITUATION WANTED: DC WRITER/PRODUCER Available: 15 year TV veteran available for writer / producer work in the DC area starting June 16th. Experienced in reality, documentary, entertainment, and talk formats. Contact: [email protected] (6/13)

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E-mail [email protected] for rates and specs for Job Openings.

Interested in posting your Video Resume? Contact [email protected] for more information ….

Are you looking for a job? Post your Situation Wanted Ad here — Email [email protected] for specs.